Hereford, Sutton United, Yeovil are among a list of non-league clubs to topple big name opposition.

Yeovil have the chance to claim another league scalp when they face Cardiff City in the third round on Saturday and Southport are at home to Leyton Orient, but the main focus of attention will be Rushden & Diamonds.

The Vauxhall Conference club, based on the edge of the Northamptonshire town of Irthlingborough, face up to former winners Leeds United in a tie which brings to vivid life the often-used phrase 'the magic of the Cup'.

Brian Talbot: 'We almost lost in the qualifying rounds'

It re-unites Brian Talbot and David O'Leary, now managers of the two clubs, but formerly teammates in the Arsenal team which reached the 1979 and 1980 finals.

O'Leary's Leeds are currently fifth in the FA Premiership and will start firm favourites at Nene Park, but he knows the Diamonds are no ordinary non-league side.

Pushing for promotion

Max Griggs lifts the famous trophy

The club, bankrolled by shoe manufacturer Max Griggs, has a 6,600-capacity stadium which is the envy of many Football League sides and is pushing hard to move out of the non-league ranks.

"Everyone remembers that famous goal Ronnie Radford scored for Hereford against Newcastle in the FA Cup. We might score one of those," said Griggs.

The Rushden squad includes veteran defender Chris Whyte, a member of the Leeds title-winning side in 1992.

"For a club like Rushden to be playing a club of Leeds' stature is amazing. I am sure every one of our players involved will enjoy every minute of it and I'm sure they'll put up a good performance," he said.

But their chances have not been helped by a number of injuries to key members of the team.

Teenage goalkeeper Steve Cory is on stand-by with Mark Smith and Mark Gayle ruled out and recent loan signing Ian Feuer doubtful. Striker Darren Collins is also absent after a hernia operation and experienced defender Ray Warburton recently suffered knee ligament damage.

But Talbot, also a member of Ipswich's 1978 Cup-winning side, is undaunted, saying: ""We're going out to do our best and who knows? At the end of the day it's only 11 against 11."

Tigers enter Villa Park cage

A total of 16 Premiership clubs face opposition from lower leagues in the third round.

Hull chairman Tom Belton 'We would have preferred it at home'

Leaders Aston Villa have enjoyed a magnificent start to the season and it would be a huge shock if they were beaten at home by Third Division Hull City.

The Humberside club is six points adrift at the bottom of the Third Division and facing the prospect of losing Football League status at the end of the season.

But they will have 6,000 fans cheering them on and veteran defender Kevin Gage, a former Villa player, says they want "that slice of glory that is special to the FA Cup".

Peter Davenport: Team spirit counts for a lot

The same dream is alive at Second Division Macclesfield, a non-league club just two seasons ago, as they prepare to take on Coventry City.

Player-coach Peter Davenport, who used to play alongside Coventry boss Gordon Strachan at Manchester United in the 1980s, believes team spirit will stand them in good stead at Highfield Road.

"We have got a solid back four and as a team we work very hard for each other. We are not a team of superstars and we work well as a unit, and that is what our success is based on," he said.

Second Division leaders Fulham appear to have a more realistic chance as they travel to Southampton and Plymouth hope home advantage will county against Derby.